diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index fca448ce..946c380c 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -98,3 +98,11 @@ This section applies to any agent (Claude, Codex, Cursor, opencode, ...) working
 - Do not justify risky debug defaults as temporary shortcuts.
 - Do not defer dependency review, SBOM generation, or supply-chain checks to a later phase.
 - Do not defer Windows or macOS build enforcement to a later phase.
+
+## Code-owner review gates — disabled (on hold)
+
+As of 2026-08-04, code-owner review requirements (`require_code_owner_reviews` in branch
+protection, `require_code_owner_review` in rulesets) are disabled across the ContextualWisdomLab
+org: there is a single maintainer (solo developer), so a code-owner approval gate can never be
+satisfied. This is ON HOLD until the org has multiple maintainers — do NOT re-enable these
+settings or add CODEOWNERS-based merge gates before then.